Alyeska Resort’s telepalooza returns to freeheel roots

Telepalooza, coming at you for the eighth year lands on a new weekend and refocuses on its core activities. Also known as the Jeff Nissman Memorial Telemark Festival – Telepalooza is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 26 and 27, 2011 and includes a number of on-mountain races and après ski activities. Registration for the festival races will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 24 and 25 at the Sitzmark Bar and Grill between 4:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M.

This yearTelepalooza has three races to chose from. A Classic, Uphill/Downhill and Dual Slalom. The Classic Race and Dual Slalom are open to telemark skiers only, and the Uphill/Downhill is open to all disciplines and equipment types. Top finishers in each race in their categories will compete for a variety of prizes including Alyeska Resort Powder Passes, snowcat trips, snowsport gear and apparel, and more.

The Uphill/Downhill race is a test of speed and agility where competitors manually power their way up the course via climbing skis or scales, and race back down the course for time. This race is open to alpine, telemark and Nordic skiers as well as snowboarders.

The Classic is the corner stone of telemark racing. Using a one run format, the Classic course generally takes a time of two plus minutes to complete as racers go through up to 40 gates. The Classic typically also features a reipeløkke which includes a 360- banked turn, 75 to 125 foot jump, and a skating or cross country section. The Dual Slalom is set up in a similar manner as in Alpine racing where two skiers compete head-to-head on a standard slalom course.

“This festival is for all levels. It’s about living life to the fullest,” says event founder Brooke Edwards, “Telepalooza is about honoring Jeff Nissman and the way he lived his life. He was a fun-loving, inclusive guy who would have been all about bringing the community together.”

The festival weekend also features on-hill clinics, fun races for kids and free demo equipment presented by Black Diamond Equipment. Nightly entertainment at the Sitzmark Bar and Grill is also part of the program and this year’s festival theme is “rock star” a nod to the weekend’s musical performers, Hell’s Belles.

Proceeds from this year’s charity raffle featuring over $30,000 in prizes, go to benefit Friends of The Chugach Avalanche Information Center. Raffle prizes include helicopter and snowcat skiing adventures in Alaska and many other backcountry gear and accessories. Telepalooza is held in honor of the life of Jeff Nissman. Jeff was an avid telemark skier, mountaineer, and avalanche forecaster who died in a work related accident in January 2004.

In addition to costume parties at Sitzmark Bar & Grill, Hell’s Belles will play two live shows, February 25 and 26. Formed in 2000, Hell’s Belles is the premier all-female AC/DC tribute act, and trust me, these chicks rock! Endorsed by AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young himself (Blender Magazine, 2003), Hell’s Belles has performed globally and embodies the high-energy and musical testament of the original band. Tickets for the shows are $20 in advanced and $25 day of show, and can be purchased online, at any Alyeska Ticket Office. All shows are for adults over 21 years of age.

To register for the amazing Telepalooza and to learn more about the incredible activities offered throughout the weekend festival, visit AlyeskaResort.com.